Well, friends, this is going to be my very last Expat Chronicles. I know! Sniff. I will miss it as well. But as of last Thursday, I am an expat no longer. I have officially become a Dutch citizen, and my minor children along with me. I have some ideas to continue writing about my life, as well as my experiences in The Netherlands, but we will talk about that later. For today let’s wrap up this series with a snapshot of my journey to becoming a Nederlander.
Read MoreBy the time I immigrated to The Netherlands in 2019, I was a relatively environmentally friendly person. But there is always more to learn and more ways to grow. Happily, The Netherlands is teaching me. Here are some progressive environmental perspectives that I have been delighted to find in the Dutch society.
Read MorePolitics?!?! Yikes. Let us all first take a deep breath. I won’t be writing a treatise on Dutch politics, only sharing a few stark differences that I notice from my American perspective. Political Parties, Elections, Collaboration and How the Government Steps Down.
Read MoreAt this time of year Dutch cities and towns begin to hum with energy again. The sun begins to warm shoulders, and we insist on being outside! Everything has come alive and its beauty turns our head. We answer by braving the cool spring weather on bikes, on foot and especially when eating out.
Read MoreChoosing a name is a unique cultural expression. The Netherlands has its own naming culture with traditions, trends and secrets that have been fun to discover. Here is what I’ve noticed about naming in The Netherlands.
Read MoreWe spent the days between Christmas and New Years Eve traipsing around Amsterdam as a family, on foot and by tram, exploring the city’s attractions. Are you curious about Amsterdam during the holidays? These are the highlights of our trip!
Read MoreYesterday was a special day for Elora and I - her last speech therapy lesson. In the past year Elora has made fantastic progress, thanks in great part to the two specialists who uncovered the origin of her language development challenges.
Read MoreAs I observe the lifestyles of my Dutch friends, I notice cultural patterns of frequent family connection. It strikes me that the proximity makes possible a tight-knit family cultural. Here are some Dutch habits I’ve observed with admiration and not a little jealousy.
Read MoreThis year Aria is a high school graduate - - - in The Netherlands! I think you’ll enjoy hearing about how this major milestone is experienced here, from the intensity of final exams to the Dutch graduation ceremony and how it is celebrated.
Read MoreI brought all of my fabric and even my scraps, when I moved overseas. In the last three years, I’ve gotten to know what it’s like to shop for quilt fabrics as a European. Let’s talk about the costs, accessibility and my favorite quilt shop destinations!
Read MoreFor us, the desire to immigrate to Europe came first, but affordable higher education made the move both possible and practical. In the Netherlands college is cheap and admissions are stress-free. Here’s what we’ve experienced so far in Dutch higher education.
Read MoreI enjoy sharing the different ways that society can be organized because it opens up possibilities for gratitude and maybe even change. So, are you curious about how children’s sports and extracurriculars are set up in The Netherlands?
Read MoreThere’s everything magical about flowers. They are sunshine to the mind, food for the soul and inspiration to the eyes. What serendipity that I happen to be sewing with all the flowers, at this very moment.
Read MoreA week of sand, sea and slow stitches, in photos - - - the Zeeland coast, Camping Dutch style, Feet in the North Sea, Veere Harbor, Middelburg Abbey, Slow Stitching spot and new Ice Cream Soda blocks.
Read MoreSocial trust wasn’t a value growing up in the United States. I was taught that making yourself vulnerable to strangers was reckless, foolish, irresponsible. Our time in The Netherlands is showing us another way to live.
Read MoreWell, that’s one sexy title. Doesn’t everyone want to read about energy efficiency on a quilting blog? Actually we’ve been busy in this area after buying an older home. Come hear about life in The Netherlands.
Read MoreIf selling a home can be long and arduous in America, the opposite is true in The Netherlands. Selling is easy, but buying a home here - that’s the hard part. Here are all the juicy details about buying and selling a Dutch home.
Read MoreWe’ve moved! Today boxes are everywhere and there’s much to do. Meanwhile, I thought I’d share some before and after pictures so that you can see what we’ve been busy with over the past few weeks. The renovation was messy, but exciting!
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